PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary development, including obtaining VA medical records and possibly scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% disability rating effective February 25, 2005. The RO also granted entitlement to TDIU with an effective date of April 15, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for new and material evidence to reopen his left hip disability claim. The TDIU claim was also denied as he did not meet the percentage requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The veteran's PTSD was manifested by moderate to severe impairment during the appeal period, warranting a 50% and 70% evaluation respectively.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service-connection for PTSD and a skin condition. The Board found that there was no credible evidence to verify the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors related to PTSD, and thus denied service connection on this basis.,For the skin condition claim, the Board noted that while the veteran had a current diagnosis of psoriasis, the competent and credible evidence did not show a relationship between his skin condition and service. The Board also found no evidence linking the skin condition to any service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a personal hearing.

The veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating effective October 16, 2001. The RO has granted entitlement to TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective from August 12, 2005. Prior to this date, the veteran's PTSD was manifested by significant social and occupational impairment due to severe deficiencies in most areas, including symptoms such as severe depression, daily suicidal ideations, almost daily flashbacks, obsessional thoughts, paranoid thought content, visual hallucinations, and persecutory delusions.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate the degree of occupational and social impairment contemplated by a 50 percent schedular rating, and granted an increased evaluation to 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran did not participate in combat and there is no credible supporting evidence of his claimed in-service stressors, including changes in behavior. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The VA determined that there is no valid diagnosis of PTSD based on a verified stressor related to the veteran's military service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service. The veteran's claim seeks service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA and VA, including psychiatric treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural deficits and the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from VA medical centers where he has been treated.

The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and PTSD have been granted. The claims for insomnia, fatigue, and joint pains have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's experiences in Vietnam and his diagnosis of PTSD meet the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a psychiatric examination.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder was rated at 30 percent from December 21, 1989 to October 31, 1990. The appeal for a higher rating and total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to November 1, 1990 is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. However, it is not granted as there is no established diagnosis of PTSD in service or due to a personal assault.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD, finding that July 13, 1999 was the earliest possible effective date based on new and material evidence received in September 1998.